Colette C.

Colette is a 34 year old who grew up in Maine. As a child, Colette attended several different schools since her family moved around a lot. Colette was initially accepted to attend Northern Maine Technical School in the secretarial program, but due to pressure from personal circumstances she did not attend.

In 1991 Colette married her high school sweetheart, and had her first child in 1992. When he was two years old he was diagnosed with special needs and soon after she gave birth to her second child, a daughter. Colette put her life on hold; she wanted to ensure that her children received all the tools necessary to achieve a stable foundation in which to grow from and to ensure their social and academic success. After several years of remaining a stay at home mother, Colette decided to return to work when her children were in school full time. With only a little experience in the secretarial area she obtained a job as a receptionist.

Colette was happy with her job even though it required her to go to outside sources to learn all she could about human resources, since she had very little experience in this area. In April of 2003, Colette’s husband was injured on the job. This injury ultimately kept him out of work for several months. A few months later, Colette was informed that her company would be closing. After sending out resumes and not receiving a single interview due to the fact that she didn’t have a degree for her current position, she decided to go to school. She realized that she might become the primary wage earner for her family.

Colette went to the Maine CareerCenter for assistance since she was considered a displaced worker. Colette, unsure of what to do next, contacted a MEOC worker to attain assistance with the possibility of going back to college.

MEOC was an invaluable tool Colette feels she needed to assist her with preparing for college, and making college successful while she has attended. Since MEOC provides workshops to students about financial aid, career planning, and referrals to local programs, it enables a student to get “one stop shopping!”

Colette feels strongly that it is due to the careful coordination and collaboration of the MEOC program and the Maine CareerCenter that she was able to access all of the services available to her. This has ultimately meant she can attend college and complete her degree. She is a strong supporter of the MEOC program and continues to receive guidance and support from MEOC after being in college for three years.

Since attending college Colette has maintained a 4.0 average except for one semester at a 3.98. She was invited to become a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and currently holds the secretarial office within the University of Maine Presque Isle chapter.

Colette has always felt that just because a door closes and you feel like you may be in the worst time of your life doesn’t mean that another door isn’t going to open. Going to college has given her a new perspective on life. She now realizes how important higher education is and the importance of being ready to achieve those goals.